Engine Overspeed Recording Devices

[Helifan]

Hi

Does anyone know of any device out there that records engine overspeed occurances for piston engined helis like the Schwitzer or Robby?

I am looking for a way for aircraft owners - who have aircraft leased out to schools or charter operations - to know when their aircraft have been subjected to a overspeed that borderlines on the possibility of serioius engine damage and yet goes unreported.

Any clues???

Thanks

[Gaseous]

Check out multi function engine monitors from EI, JPI and possibly Insight. They will do what you want and more as well. User definable limits are set for whatever engine parameters you choose. You can download the results to your PC at your leisure and send the culprit the bill for the overspeed, fiddling the hobbs, overtemp, poor warmup/shutdown etc.

Usefully, you can set a visual and audio warning lower than the POH limit to warn the pilot things are about to go wrong, so they can help prevent things like overspeeds.

[helicopter-redeye]

There was a whole thread on this last November (04) Can't remember the name but search using 'post by' on either Gaseous or me as we were both on it.

For us in JAR/EASA land, the issue is wheather it is (a) certified for use on the machine and (b) you have panel space for it. There are also lots of probes etc.

Below is the comprehensive response I git from EI Tech Support about fitting one to a 44

"There are a couple of ways to monitor and record engine RPM with our
instruments.

If you are considering using the UBG-16 you would need at a minimum: One
UBG-16 package with 6 EGT probes, 6 CHT probes, an FM-RPM-6 module package
and a MUX-8A package. This will provide you with all of your EGT, CHT,
differentials and RPM numbers that can be recorded to the MUX-8A and
downloaded to a laptop. Each probe and module can be programmed with a high
and low limit that will trigger an external warning light, horn etc and will
put the MUX into burst mode. The downloaded data will have a date/time
stamp at the set intervals of the MUX-8A; 6 min, 3 min, 1 min or "burst"
which is a continuous recording.

The other option is an R-1-6 tachometer with an RS-232 output that can be
connected to the MUX-8A. You could also add an AL-1 external light to come
on at the tachometer redline.

Please note that neither of these instruments are STC'd for the R-44,
however the UBG-16 is STC'd as a secondary instrument for the R-22. The
manuals, wiring diagrams, STC's and additional information on both of these
instruments is available in the downloads section of our web site."

[AK22]

Electro-Technik Systems Ltd in the UK have been developing an flight "event" monitoring / recording system specifically for use in light aircraft and helicopters (in particular the R22 and Schweitzer) in the G.A sector. The system (Flight Minder) is currently being tested and evaluated in several home bulit aircraft and a Cessna 150 and R22 prior to obtaining the neccesary appovals and certification.

Flight Minder records the time and date at which flight events occour. Flight events include master switch on, engine start, wheels up, wheels down, engine stop, rotor overspeed start, rotor overspeed end, engine overspeed start, engine overspeed end and heavy landing.

The airborne equipment is housed in a plastic enclosure 130 x 90 x 40mm which can be mounted any in convenient location in the cock-pit.

Events are recorded to "smartcard" which is inserted into the Flight Minder prior to each flight (a local memory records any flight events made when no card has been inserted). Approximately 200 events can be recorded on each smartcard

After the flight, the smartcard is plugged into a PC fitted with a card interface and Flight Minder database software - (It is hoped that this will eventually be integrated with CavOK QDM software)

The smart-card may also contain the pilot's name and aircraft ID for record keeping, training and invoicing etc.

Flight Minder is not intended for use as "black-box" data recorder, but simply as low cost way of keeping track of events which may be relevant to flight safety and running costs.

Further details can be obtained from Electro-Techik Systems Ltd in the UK Tel +44 (0)1642 438405 or by e-mail [email protected]